Chinese Elm - Ulmus Parvifolia
Chinese Elms are one of the most popular and most purchased of bonsai in the UK. A favorite for local garden centres it can be problematic for the unwary novice. Many are shipped in containers from China and should be repotted soon after purchase to avoid problems later.
Despite their reputation as indoor trees, the Chinese Elm is equally content outside. They are temperate trees and fully frost hardy. If kept inside they are less vigorous but remain ‘evergreen’. I have had my Elms outside throughout winter – with regular overnight temperatures at -3C.
| Position | Pruning / Repot | Feeding / Water | My Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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(Indoors) Loves to see the sun through the window. Steady temperature and no draughts. I move mine around the house to catch the sun. Sulks when it is gloomy.
(Outdoors) All my elms have thrived outside. In hard winter I place them in groups on the ground to cuddle and stay warm.
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(Outdoor) Repot annually in Spring as buds open. Rootbound elms don't do well. (Indoor) Can be repotted in Autumn after leaf drop about 3 wks before coming inside. I use a 50.50 basic soil mix that drains well.
Pruning - Let new growth extend to 4-5 nodes before cutting back to one leaf pair. The higher the growth the harder you cut back. Major pruning in Autumn reduces callus scarring. |
Watering: (Indoors) Keep moist - check daily but only water if required. Over watering can lead to lack of vigour, rootrot and eventually death. I no longer mist the foliage. (Outdoors) Same rules. High winds and sun can dry out the soil quickly!
Feeding: I use a solid 'bio gold' feed as and when it has been eaten! (Not winter) Do not feed if leaves have dropped or it looks poorly.
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Propagation: Greenwood cuttings in Summer. Hardwood cuttings in Winter. Air-layering in late May. I find 80-90% of my cuttings succeed and survive the winter.
The major pest I encounter in Grantham is mealy bug. If seen remove them and then spray the tree.
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This Chinese Elm started as a cutting!
After 6 years, my Chinese Elm Cuttings are ready to become Bonsai. Today I go through the ‘hard-pruning’ process to establish a sustainable primary and secondary structure. Loads to see with lots of ‘up-close’ video. If you love Chinese Elm Bonsai then this episode is for you.
How to care for a Valuable Bonsai (Chinese Elm)
Before my wife Zita died, she told me to buy a couple of expensive trees to remember her. Today I work on these ‘Root-over-Rock’ Chinese Elms. Using ‘close-up’ shots it will be easy to see what is required to maintain these valuable Bonsai.
External References & Links:
https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species
http://bonsai4me.com/species_guide.html
http://www.herons.co.uk
